Based on analysis of multiple outside rankings, Sinema is a more moderate left of center Democratic Party vote. As a result, she may break with the Democratic Party line more than her fellow members.

Biography

Sinema was raised in Tucson, Arizona, a child of divorce who overcame significant economic obstacles to graduate at the top of her high school class at age 16. After her stepfather, a teacher, lost his job, Sinema's family spent two years living in an abandoned gas station. She went on to receive four degrees, including a bachelor’s and master's degree in social work from Brigham Young University and Arizona State University, respectively, and then both a Juris Doctorate and PhD in justice studies from Arizona State University.[4]

When Sinema was 18, she landed a job as a school social worker in Phoenix and later became an adjunct professor of social work at Arizona State University. She has used her other various degrees working as a private practice attorney and policy instructor for the Center for Progressive Leadership, where she is a faculty and board member.

She is involved with many organizations such as Community Outreach and Advocacy for Refugees, Girls for a Change, Progressive Democrats of America and the Arizona Death Penalty Forum.[6]

Career

Below is an abbreviated outline of Sinema's academic, professional and political career:[7]

Issues

Legislative actions

113th Congress

The second session of the 113th Congress enacted into law 114 out of the 3,036 introduced bills (3.8 percent). Comparatively, the 112th Congress had 4.2 percent of introduced bills enacted into law in the second session.[9] For more information pertaining to Sinema's voting record in the 113th Congress, please see the below sections.[10]

National security

National Defense Authorization Act

Sinema voted for HR 1960 - the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2014. The bill passed the House on June 14, 2013, with a vote of 315 - 108. Both parties were somewhat divided on the vote.[11]

Department of Homeland Security Appropriations

Sinema voted for HR 2217 - the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act of 2014. The bill passed the House on June 6, 2013, with a vote of 245 - 182 that was largely along party lines.[12]

Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act

Sinema voted for HR 624 - the Cyber Intelligence Sharing and Protection Act. The bill passed the House on April 18, 2013, with a vote of 288 - 127. The bill would allow federal intelligence agencies to share cybersecurity intelligence and information with private entities and utilities. The bill was largely supported by Republicans but divided the Democratic Party.[13]

Economy

Federal Statutory Pay Adjustment Elimination

Sinema voted for HR 273 - Eliminates the 2013 Statutory Pay Adjustment for Federal Employees. The bill passed the House on February 15, 2013, with a vote of 261 - 154. The bill would prevent a 0.5% pay increase for all federal workers from taking effect, saving the federal government $11 billion over 10 years. Sinema was 1 of 44 Democrats who supported the bill, while 144 voted against it.[14]

Immigration

Morton Memos Enforcement Prohibition

Sinema voted against House Amendment 136 - Prohibits the Enforcement of the Immigration Executive Order. The amendment was adopted by the House on June 6, 2013, with a vote of 224 - 201. The purpose of the amendment as stated on the official text is to "prohibit the use of funds to finalize, implement, administer, or enforce the Morton Memos." These memos would have granted administrative amnesty to certain illegal aliens residing in the United States.[15] The vote largely followed party lines.[16]

Healthcare

Health Care Reform Rules

Sinema voted against House Amendment 450 - Requires Congressional Approval for Any Rules Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The amendment was adopted by the House on August 2, 2013, with a vote of 227-185. The amendment requires that all changes to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act be approved by Congress before taking effect. The vote was largely along party lines.[17]

Social issues

Abortion

Sinema voted against HR 1797 - Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. The resolution passed the House on June 18, 2013, with a vote of 228 - 196 that largely followed party lines. The purpose of the bill is to ban abortions that would take place 20 or more weeks after fertilization.[18]

40 under 40

Sinema has been highlighted by Time Magazine as one of the 40 leaders under 40 who are "rising stars of American politics."[19]

Campaign themes

2012

Excerpt: "The number one job for Congress is creating a stronger economy, both nationally and here in Arizona. That means helping small businesses start and grow, because 90% of new jobs come from small businesses. And Sinema believes Congress needs to do more for the middle class, like protecting payroll tax cuts for working and middle-class families, such as those in the American Jobs Act, which would give a typical Arizona household an additional $1,430 in take-home pay."

Environment

Excerpt: "Half of the world’s energy will come from renewable resources by 2040. Developing clean energy will boost our economy, reduce the effects of global warming, and make Arizona a better place for all of us. And as the sunniest state in America, Arizona is in the drivers’ seat on job-creating solar energy. "

Education

Excerpt: "As both the daughter of an educator and a college professor herself, Kyrsten Sinema understands that strong schools are built on smart investments – small class sizes, hiring and keeping the best teachers and safe learning environments for students."

Immigration and Border Security

Excerpt: "Arizona shares the second-longest border with Mexico, after Texas. Every day, law enforcement fights a losing battle with criminal drug, weapons and human traffickers as well as workers and families looking for a better life here in Arizona."

Health Care

Excerpt: "Health care has been the fastest growing expense for businesses and middle-class families. When President Obama moved in 2009 to improve health care by stopping insurance company practices like dropping coverage when you or a family become sick or refusing to cover pre-existing conditions, and strengthening Medicare to offer free preventive care and wellness exams, Sinema supported these and other important reforms to get health care costs under control for all."

According to the website Daily Kos, this race was one of nine top-ballot 2012 races that contained a Libertarian candidate who received more total votes than was the difference between the Democratic winner and the GOP runner-up. In this case, Powell Gammill took in over 7,300 more votes than the number that separated Sinema and Parker.[26]

2010

Sinema was eligible but did not seek re-election in 2010. She instead sought the District 15 seat of the Arizona State Senate. She defeated Republican Bob Thomas in the November 2 general election.[27]

Campaign donors

Comprehensive donor information for Sinema is available dating back to 2002. Based on available campaign finance records, Sinema raised a total of $2,368,161 during that time period. This information was last updated on March 22, 2013.[30]

2012

Breakdown of the source of Sinema's campaign funds before the 2012 election.

Sinema won election to the U.S. House in 2012. During that election cycle, Sinema's campaign committee raised a total of $2,167,384 and spent $2,118,461.[35] This is more than the average $1.5 million spent by House winners in 2012.[36]

Lifetime voting record

According to the website GovTrack, Sinema missed 1 of 89 roll call votes from January 2013 to March 2013. This amounts to 1.1%, which is better than the median of 2.2% among current congressional representatives as of March 2013.[41]

Net worth

2011

Based on congressional financial disclosure forms and calculations made available by OpenSecrets.org, Sinema's net worth as of 2011 was estimated between -$50,000 and -$15,001. That averages to -$32,500, which is lower than the average net worth of Democratic representatives in 2011 of $5,107,874.[42]

Voting with party

2013

The website OpenCongress tracks how often members of Congress vote with the majority of the chamber caucus. According to the website, Sinema has voted with the Democratic Party 89.8% of the time. This ranked 181st among the 201 House Democrats as of June 2013.[43]